Envisioning the future of Rimrock Ranch

Apr 11, 2016

Back in 2006, the Land Trust proudly announced the conservation of a beautiful piece of land on Whychus Creek called Rimrock Ranch. Its owners, Bob and Gayle Baker, had just signed an agreement with the Land Trust to protect their land forever.

Back in 2006, the Land Trust proudly announced the conservation of a beautiful piece of land on Whychus Creek called Rimrock Ranch. Its owners, Bob and Gayle Baker, had just signed an agreement with the Land Trust to protect their land forever.

“I remember that day,” said Gayle Baker. “It was so wonderful to finally know that ourplace would be protected forever.”

Today Rimrock remains conserved with the Land Trust and carefully cared for by its owner, Gayle Baker. But there is a part of the original vision for the ranch that is only just now coming to fruition.

“Bob and I always wanted Rimrock to eventually be owned by the Land Trust. We signed the conservation easement with the Land Trust in 2006 as the first step in that process. Now we’ve taken the next step by signing an agreement that gives the Land Trust the ability to one day own Rimrock,” said Gayle Baker.

Rimrock Ranch is connected on its southern edge to the Land Trust’s Whychus Canyon Preserve. The ranch’s 1,250 acres are similar to the Preserve with rimrock canyons, pine forests, and 1.5 miles of Whychus Creek. It is prime habitat for salmon and steelhead, deer and cougars, and songbirds and golden eagles.

The Land Trust’s eventual ownership of Rimrock will mean a more holistic approach to conservation for the entire creek corridor. The Whychus Creek restoration is a great example. This exciting new project will be implemented along the entire six-mile creek corridor, taking into account how one stretch affects the next. It’s all about restoring the creek and its surrounding meadows so wildlife can connect and move between habitats more effectively. It’s also about providing the habitat diversity that wildlife will need to adapt to our changing climate.

“Rimrock is an extraordinary place—one that I will always cherish. When the time comes for the Land Trust to purchase Rimrock, I know they will continue to cherish it, and care for it forever,” said Gayle. “Let’s help them get there by joining their Campaign for Whychus Creek. Together we can conserve and care for Rimrock and other important lands on Whychus Creek forever.”

**The Land Trust has just finalized an agreement to purchase Rimrock Ranch. Learn more.**